2013 R231 SL65 AMG with updated M279 V12 tested - Pointless?

The SL65 AMG served a purpose with the R230 SL generation as it offered a performance boost over the SL55 and SL63 AMG variants. With the R231 generation however the SL63 AMG received the twin turbo M157 motor making the M279 V12 somewhat redundant despite its 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. The M157 powered SL63 AMG by contrast has an output 530 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. This output rises to 550 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque with the optional Performance Package.

Yes, the updated M279 V12 in the SL65 AMG has more power and torque but the car also weighs about 230 pounds more with the majority of that weight coming on the nose. Is the weight penalty worth it? According to the handling and acceleration data from Car and Driver, no. The 1/4 mile comes by 11.8 seconds at 124 miles per hour. In other words, basically a wash with the Performance Package SL63 AMG which is lighter and $60k cheaper. Ouch.

AMG updated the V12 but it's still a relatively ancient design. Low revving, SOHC, and just a stump puller versus the lighter, higher revving, and better breathing M157. BenzBoost hates to say it, but, the SL65 AMG just does not make sense any longer. Grab an SL63 AMG and save the pocketed change for some upgraded turbos. You'll have a more powerful and more fun car to drive.

@Sticky, Yes sure at the 1/4 mile both cars will be the same somewhat. However, if you really want to see the diffrence between an R231 SL65 and SL63 (both stock) have them both race from 60Km/hr roll on. I have seen it in my own eyes, the SL65 trashes the SL63 badly bro, no comparison.

@Sticky , Yes sure at the 1/4 mile both cars will be the same somewhat. However, if you really want to see the diffrence between an R231 SL65 and SL63 (both stock) have them both race from 60Km/hr roll on. I have seen it in my own eyes, the SL65 trashes the SL63 badly bro, no comparison.

According to the test numbers the SL63 is actually faster at those speeds. That is what Car and Driver states.

According to the test numbers the SL63 is actually faster at those speeds. That is what Car and Driver states.

Dont know what to say about that really. I have seen the opposite. I was also driving the SL65. On one run, the SL63 took the inital jump, but the SL65 still overtook it and pulled away. Its really a high end speed beast. Especially when you shift to fifth gear, its bye bye SL63

Dont know what to say about that really. I have seen the opposite. I was also driving the SL65. On one run, the SL63 took the inital jump, but the SL65 still overtook it and pulled away. Its really a high end speed beast. Especially when you shift to fifth gear, its bye bye SL63

I don't know what to say either but the 1/4 mile times for both are pretty even:

Thing is, in our testing the SL65 is not any quicker or faster than the Performance-package-equipped 557-hp SL63 AMG that costs roughly $60,000 less. Not to 60 mph (at 3.7 seconds, the SL65 is a tenth slower), not through the quarter (equal at 11.8 seconds at 124 mph), and not in top speed. Both cars are governed to 186 mph. In passing maneuvers, the SL65 is actually four-tenths slower than the SL63 from 30 to 50 and a half-second slower from 50 to 70 mph.

Dont know what to say about that really. I have seen the opposite. I was also driving the SL65. On one run, the SL63 took the inital jump, but the SL65 still overtook it and pulled away. Its really a high end speed beast. Especially when you shift to fifth gear, its bye bye SL63

I just saw the SL65 owner a couple of hours. He only has 700 kilometers on his car and it's stock. I drove it and there was no fule cut-off. Not sure about the SL63, but it should be stock.

I see. According to the numbers the cars should be dead even and the M157 should have the better top end but both motors and cars are beasts. I just don't think the SL65 is worth the money over the SL63 stock, modded, etc.

The V12 doesn't even really have more potential it has a fairly old design.

Such a depressing read, the V12 is a great engine but its too damn heavy, really doesn't have too impressive of a specific output anymore, and is just a little too lazy. There's been talk of a new quad cam V12 being in development for a while now, I think it's about time we see that. Can you imagine the 5.5 with four extra cylinders? My god. It would be a beast, probably appreciably more fuel efficient, and weigh less. And if it responded to mods like the V8...watch out.

Such a depressing read, the V12 is a great engine but its too damn heavy, really doesn't have too impressive of a specific output anymore, and is just a little too lazy. There's been talk of a new quad cam V12 being in development for a while now, I think it's about time we see that. Can you imagine the 5.5 with four extra cylinders? My god. It would be a beast, probably appreciably more fuel efficient, and weigh less. And if it responded to mods like the V8...watch out.

It's heavy but it's also basically an old design. The M157 is just more modern and doesn't give me up much while offering more revs and less weight.

Such a depressing read, the V12 is a great engine but its too damn heavy, really doesn't have too impressive of a specific output anymore, and is just a little too lazy. There's been talk of a new quad cam V12 being in development for a while now, I think it's about time we see that. Can you imagine the 5.5 with four extra cylinders? My god. It would be a beast, probably appreciably more fuel efficient, and weigh less. And if it responded to mods like the V8...watch out.

Oh man...it died out a while ago. A bunch of guys on MBWorld were talking about it back in the day...there was talk of the 69 badge coming back, and maybe even the 73 badge. A few guys who had inside contacts at AMG said there were prototypes running around with quad cam V12s in these capacities. That kind of died out though. However, I do occasionally see references to a new quad cam V12 being developed. And at this rate, they absolutely must if they want to make a V12 that actually matters from the factory.

Oh man...it died out a while ago. A bunch of guys on MBWorld were talking about it back in the day...there was talk of the 69 badge coming back, and maybe even the 73 badge. A few guys who had inside contacts at AMG said there were prototypes running around with quad cam V12s in these capacities. That kind of died out though. However, I do occasionally see references to a new quad cam V12 being developed. And at this rate, they absolutely must if they want to make a V12 that actually matters from the factory.

I honestly haven't seen anything about a new V12. The M279 is the latest V12 from Mercedes no news of anything else. I think Mercedes is planning to go smaller there were even rumors of them killing the V12 off entirely.

I honestly haven't seen anything about a new V12. The M279 is the latest V12 from Mercedes no news of anything else. I think Mercedes is planning to go smaller there were even rumors of them killing the V12 off entirely.

Yeah it's been a while since I've heard anything about a new one. I hope they don't get rid of it but given the performance of the 5.5 it really isn't needed anymore. Hopefully they have some surprises coming.